Then, a ventilator forced his lungs to bring air in and out of his body. He was fed through a tube. We had to hold his eyes shut so they wouldn't dry out while he slept. His only dream was to walk again.

Now, he holds a full-time job. Not only can he feed himself, he cooks for his family and prepares feasts for any friends who are around. He can hold his own eyes shut as well as he can hold his 5 year old son in the arms.

And he can ride a bike.

Watching from behind as he pedaled up the hill he never thought he'd master, it was a perfect moment.

Thanks, everyone! It has taken a while, but we survived. And now that we are far enough away from the excruciating exhaustion of it all, we are finally beginning to find the lessons and blessings in it all.